appreciate all the feedback, yeah I sure didn't feel that Grailed offered any further interest or help than Paypal did (really hoped they would take a look at my positive reviews and understand that something odd had happened).

Got a couple PM's and fortunately was able to pass this jacket off to a user on here. Glad he'll be able to put it to good use, I just don't have the desire to put more time into this one myself.

Tough lesson to learn, most importantly, won't ever skimp on shipping insurance again (though I am sure USPS has their own run around to avoid responsibility).

^ I have a leather jacket in a similar color. OK if you don't mind that it's not terribly versatile. I wear mine with tan pants, but find it doesn't really go all that well with anything else.

Also, more of a spring/ summer color, so maybe see if the jacket is heavily insulated. Might not be that useful depending on your city's climate.

I personally love mixing up blues, so I wear my blue leathers with blue jeans. That said, you have to have the right jeans for that. Something that has dark low tones work best - a pair of jeans with black weft typically works. A lot of Japan Blues and Momotaro jeans carried by Blue Owl has that. Anything "bright", i.e. a lot of red in the indigo will look pretty off. Black jeans also work with that color.

I personally love mixing up blues, so I wear my blue leathers with blue jeans. That said, you have to have the right jeans for that. Something that has dark low tones work best - a pair of jeans with black weft typically works. A lot of Japan Blues and Momotaro jeans carried by Blue Owl has that. Anything "bright", i.e. a lot of red in the indigo will look pretty off. Black jeans also work with that color.

Yea, the store I bought it from modeled it with black pants. Maybe I should give it a try.

Mr. Porter also modeled it with these greyish/ brown pants, which I thought looked good. I don't have anything in that sort of color though

Don't think zippers break in. FWIW, I had an old Belstaff DR, made back when they were still a UK brand, and the chunky zipper wasn't the smoothest. But I rarely wear my leather jackets zipped anyway, so it didn't really matter.

Two way zippers are usually finicky at the bottom. Don't know if that's what you're referring to when you say "needs to take some practice." Frankly find them kind of annoying most of the time. Don't think I've ever really used the two-way function, but they're always harder to zip in the beginning.

I have never been too hot for leather jackets, largely because the coolest I have ever seen are motorcycle jackets, vintage adventure jackets, or were otherwise specific to professions or lifestyles. To be quite honest, I always feel hokey or like I am in costume wearing them.

I feel like if you are wearing a legit leather jacket, you had better be Marlon Brando or in an indie rock band.

And the leather jackets that are fit for the common man are usually so bland and plain so as to be completely forgetful, and hence, not for me.

I don't claim these opinions to be anything more than just that, opinions.

I DID once own a vintage Japanese leather motorcycle jacket from the late 70s. I don't recall the brand. I found it in a thrift store for 5 dollars and it was the coolest thing I think I have ever owned. I gave it away to my brother due to the costume effect I always felt when wearing it.

It fits him much better and yet he is no gang leader or a member of the Strokes.... so go figure.

I just bought a new K Racer jacket. The 2 way zipper is very finicky and takes some practice. It feels substantial but not smooth. I'm wondering if it needs time to break in.

The two way zip on my trailmaster is also very VERY finicky to get started. I don't think that part of the operation gets any easier with wear but the actual run of the zip as it zips up can get smoother as the metal wears in.

I think the initial hook is more of a knack / learning the technique thing though.